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Building Designer (drafter)

design

When you need one

Single dwellings, alts+adds, granny flats, small commercial — anywhere a registered architect isn't mandatory. Significantly cheaper than architect-led design.

Qualifications

Various — Building Designers Association of Australia (BDAA) accreditation common. VIC: Registered Building Designer (RBD) — VBA registered.

Professional body

Building Designers Association of Australia (BDAA)

Typical cost (Single dwelling DA package)

A$3,000–25,000

Per-state notes

VIC: RBD-Domestic/Building Surveyor must verify Cl 58 (apartments). Other states: less formal registration; market-level qualification.

Key outputs

✓Site + floor + elevation + section drawings
✓Construction-grade documentation
✓Coordination with structural engineer
✓Council DA package preparation

What triggers engaging them

▸Owner-builder projects
▸Budget-conscious projects
▸Project where design isn't differentiated

Notes

Building Designers vs Architects: Designers often cheaper (40-60% less). Architects often produce more design-rich, contextual solutions. For owner-builder / standard residential, a Building Designer is fine for most projects.